The solicitor representing a Garda sergeant charged with illegal possession of a firearm yesterday said he planned to take a private prosecution against another garda.
Mr P.A. Dorrian, representing Sgt John White (47), of Dreenan, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, sought an adjournment to January of an application to have his client sent forward for trial when the book of evidence was served at Letterkenny District Court.
Mr Dorrian said he would mount a private prosecution against a garda whose statement in the book of evidence admitted a criminal offence.
"One of the contents of the book of evidence is a statement by a person who admits a criminal offence. I want the opportunity to mount a private prosecution against that garda, and both matters will have to run together."
Sgt White is the first garda in Donegal to be arrested as a result of the Carty inquiry into alleged corruption. He is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm at Ballyderowen, Burnfoot, on May 22nd, 1998.
A representative of the State solicitor said the book of evidence was being served under the new legislation and asked that Sgt White be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court.
Mr Dorrian said he was not objecting to his client being sent forward: it was just that he should not be sent forward yesterday.
Mr Dorrian told Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick that he had not seen the exhibits to the book of evidence. Judge Fitzpatrick said he was acceding to the application for a further remand as Mr Dorrian was entitled to see the exhibits at that stage. Sgt White was remanded on bail to December 6th.